1 / 18

2 / 18

Catskills, NY - Why: This old German town isn’t just for snow dunes and skiing, although it’s great for that as well. No matter when you decide to drive through, the Catskills will always have lots of charm and beautiful open spaces. The summer rewards visitors with acres of rolling green foliage and wild flowers such as Ox-eye Daisy and Thistle. The air is clean, the people are friendly and it’s within 2.5 hours driving from New York City.To do: Go hiking through the many trails in the Catskills Mountains and surrounding areas. Visit neighboring waterfalls, including Kaaterskills Falls, the highest waterfalls on the east side of the Mississippi River. Hit the road to nearby vineyards and take in local wines and cheeses.Stay: Lay up in one of the many available cabins, cottages or plantation homes turned hotels in the area. Most charge about $120a night during holidays and weekend...

3 / 18

Charleston, SC - Why: History, music and dancing, Charleston has lovely beaches and is easy to get to. The city hosts music events with some of the biggest names, such as Earth, Wind & Fire, who perform this June 26, 2012, and Kem, who will be at the North Charleston Coliseum in July.To do: See Civil War forts, go on water and vodka tours and then there’s the beach, of course. The city offers access to five great destinations: Folly Beach, Bull Island, Kiawah Island, 21 miles from Charleston, Isles of Palms and Seabrook Island. Seabrook is a nature lover’s happy place with 2,200 acres of forest land and beach.Stay: Rest your head and plant your golf clubs at the exclusive Sanctuary Hotel, which has 10 miles of barely touched Atlantic Ocean sand. Villas and home rentals are also available and are cute options with a family. (Photo: charlestoncvb.com)

4 / 18

The Gullah Sea Islands, SC - Why: The Gullah Sea Islands, also known as Hilton Head Islands, was originally occupied by Native Americans and is now home to a large African-American community. It includes coastal plains that reach out for miles inland. The islands are rich with the essence of a West African past and a distinctive culture and language unlike any other in the world.To do: Take part in Gullah Heritage Tours via bus, golf cart or on foot to learn about the history and explore Hilton Head. A popular throwback experience is a mule-drawn wagon tour through the forests of Daufuskie Island. Otherwise, try your hand at kayaking, fishing and dolphin tours.Stay: Large resorts, inns and spas are all over the islands and many of them offer tours as well. Check into an oceanfront resort, an inn on the May River or a secluded spa with a pool.(Photo: Wikicommons)

5 / 18

Fort Lauderdale, FL - Why: Dubbed the “Venice of America,” Fort Lauderdale is a great alternative to the perpetual spring break excitement of Miami. When you just want to chill during your weekend and not have to go back to work looking like you just came out of a scene from Fight Club with Brad Pitt, this easy-going Southeast city is perfect.To do: Slide the walking shoes on and cover the city’s famous parks, museums and the marine facilities on foot. Conveniently nestled between Palm Beach and Miami, Fort Lauderdale has a Riverwalk housing the city's historic and cultural districts. Shoppers can surf Las Olas Boulevard for fashion, dining and all things fun.Stay: Check out sunny.org for travel to the greater Fort Lauderdale area. Stay in beach in a rental, which is always fun and freeing, or shack up in one of the multiple big-name hotels in the area. (Photo: visitflorida.com)

6 / 18

Washington, D.C. - Why: “Chocolate City” is always popping and the political backdrop of the White House in an election year makes the city hotter. The district not only oozes the scent of players and power, but it has a strong Black population, thanks to the Howard University campus, one of the largest HBCUs on the country. Plus, it’s a quick flight or train ride.To do: D.C. is rolling out its summer plan with a bag full of free event goodies. During Independence weekend, there will be concerts at the National Mall. Labor Day weekend is all about the Blues Festival. Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and then kick back with rooftop drinks overlooking the city.Stay: The city is offering weekend hotel packages starting at $99 a night. Check out washington.org for more information.(Photo: GettyImages)

7 / 18

Everglades, FL - Why: The Everglades National Park is a sanctuary for some of the most endangered species of alligators. Its 1.5 million acres are third largest in the lower 48 states. This World Heritage Site allows you to see these old reptiles sunning along the bank, check out exotic birds and get a little closer to nature than you might have been.To do: With so much nature, the activities are endless. A popular pastime is hiking in one of the Ranger Guided tours, biking along a trail. Get closer to the action by arranging a canoe or eco-tour where you will learn about the environment’s ecosystem.Stay: Kick back in Miami but only as a launch pad, as the Everglades is just a 30-minute drive away. Or check into Coral Gables, Everglades City or Naples. All have restaurants catering to tourists in the area. Depending on where you end up, you could see matinees and alligators swimmi...

8 / 18

Maine’s Southern Coast Beaches - Why: Just an hour North of New Hampshire you’ll come across some of the prettiest beaches on the Atlantic. It’s serene, brimming with seafood bites — and the sand stretches for 30 miles.To do: With 11 pristine white beaches in Southern Maine, the activities are endless. Try to visit as many of them as you can or get involved in the myriad fun available, from kayaking to swimming to biking and golfing. For lobster lovers, sign up for tours close by in Rockland where a captain takes you out to sea for the day's catch. Some even advertise seal watching. There’s seriously something for everyone.Stay: Finding a place with a waterfront view is muy facil. Take a look at the tourism website, which highlights accommodations that are cliffside, just 300 yards from Ogunquit Beach, and others with pools and Jacuzzis. (Photo: Wikicommons)

9 / 18

North Fork, NY - Why: With 40 wineries and more than 35 vineyards, North Fork has emerged as a quiet response to California’s Sonoma Valley. Due to the expansiveness of the landscape, the greenery and the beaches, this slip of land on the tip of Long Island, NY, can easily feel like the vacation you should have thought of before.To do: Grab a brochure from the place you're staying at or Google map the vineyards. Drive slowly, hitting up various vineyards along the way where complementary delicious local cheeses are served alongside some well-cultivated wines. After, head to the beach and have a picnic or explore sand dunes, cliff-side bluffs and lighthouses. Stay: The options are endless. The area has B&B’s, hotels, motels, inns and even camping grounds available for different budgets and needs. Some of the B&B’s are practically on the beach while others offer spa ser...

10 / 18

Sandy Hook, NJ - Why: Sandy Hook feels exclusive because of its 1,665-acre barrier peninsula from which the Manhattan skyline is within view. For 40 minutes on the ferry from New York’s Wall Street, it’s easy skipping over to seven miles of white sandy beach and away from the hubbub of the concrete jungle.To do: Swim like there’s nothing else in the world to do, search out the more than 300 migratory bird species, surf, bike some trails or just relax. When it comes to other activities, enjoy great seafood caught fresh at waterfront restaurants or catch your own fluke and tuna by joining one of the Jersey Shore’s party boats.Stay: Look toward the hill across the bay from Sandy Hook to the Highlands. This seaside town is the highest point on the entire Eastern seaboard, has some quaint B&Bs, inns and rentals available.(Photo: sandy-hook.com)

11 / 18

Montauk, NY - Why: Montauk in the winter is a white wonderland, but in the summer, it’s perfect for people who want nothing more than to beat the heat. Peaking on average to 80 degrees and dipping to the 60s during the warm months, Montauk is a laid back alternative to the Hamptons. It’s easy to get to by train and boasts some amazing views during the commute.To do: Everything and anything your body feels like doing: hike, ride horseback, bike, surf, sail, beach. Men can fish or golf and couples can tennis up or go on romantic whale watching cruises from Montauk Harbor. Some places even offer Pilates, yoga and T’ai Chi. Stay: Montauk has accommodations ranging from resort-size complexes to family-owned B&Bs. Depending on your mood, look for the tranquility of the beach, Lake Montauk, Fort Pond or the harbor. When booking, look for hotels that are having off-season special...

12 / 18

Cape Code, MA - Why: Cape Cod can be a place to kick back and unwind or to get physical. Beach lovers need to look no further than the 560 miles of sand offered up by the Cape and the surrounding areas of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Plus, President Obama and his democratic predecessor have both been known to take advantage of the Vineyard’s exclusivity. To do: Bike ride Cape Cod Canal’s seven-mile service road, see the area via glider rides or take in a concert under the Cape Cod Melody Tent. For Martha’s Vineyard, book a bus tour that takes you to all six islands for under $30, but make a point to hang out in Oak Bluffs where the beaches are beautiful and wildlife and seafood are abundant. Nantucket is known for its laidback vibe, with 80 miles of beaches to swim, fish or just wine and dine yourself silly.Stay: Accommodations run the gamut from rental homes to resorts a...

13 / 18

Hawk Mountain, PA - Why: Pennsylvania has more to give than American history and the City of Brotherly Love. If you love the outdoors and wildlife, then Hawk Mountain is a must visit. This 2,600-acre sanctuary is dubbed the world’s first refuge for birds of prey, including hawks, falcons and eagles. To do: Big bird watching and tracking is a major point of interest but there are also hiking and native plant tours for the botanist. For those who actually like to get personal with airborne hunters, there’s a cool Raptors Up Close! program that teaches visitors all about the wild birds of the sky and what makes them tick.Stay: Stay in a B&B, outdoors or in a spot that puts the environment first. Set your sights on the Blue Mountain area (like the coffee) near ski resorts, Jacuzzi-laden rooms or places that focus on your Chi by offering yoga, meditation or qigong.(Photo: hawk...

14 / 18

Myrtle Beach, SC - Why: Unlike the big beach towns, Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand of sand can be an easy chill spot. Plus you can’t beat the cheap weekend getaway aspect, going hard on family and couples' fun.To do: Take the kids to an amusement park, the hubby to a golf course or the Boo to the mall. Check out a Hot Summer Nights Summer Concert show overlooking the Atlantic, happening every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday through September.Stay: Many hotels and rentals are offering amazing deals, such as a one-bedroom ocean view condo for less than $150 and discounts up to 40 percent.(Photo: GettyImages)

15 / 18

Savannah, GA - Why: The birthplace of Outkast’s Big Boi, Savannah is a natural Southern paradise filled with great music and super-friendly people. The canopy trees that blanket the city are sights to see in their own right. To do: From blues festivals to art galleries to cobblestone streets, Savannah is sure to delight. Visit the various historic sites in the city like the First African Baptist Church, revel in one of their annual festivals such as First Saturday on the River or take a walk through the Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens.Stay: You could find a beach house with a pool on Tybee Island for less than a hotel in the downtown area, with a 20-minute commute. If commuting is out of the question, stay in the city at any one of the sweet Southern inns or B&Bs.Beautiful Forsyth Park in downtown Savannah.  (Photo: National Park Service)

16 / 18

Norwich,  CT - Why: Originally owned by the Native-American Mohegan Tribe, Norwich, CT, is a great destination for history buffs, art lovers and folks who enjoy being outdoors.To do: Go boating, golfing, hiking, museum hopping or just chill. Book a “Broadway” performance, attend an auto show or carve out time to visit the Norwich Rose Garden, home to 2,500 aromatic rose bushes, if you can’t wait for the Rose and Wine Festival taking place toward the end of the summer. Of course there’s always the lovely walk along the Heritage Riverfront Walkway to Indian Leap at Yantic Falls. Stay: Bring your big purse and stay at the famous Foxwoods Resort Casino or Mohegan Sun, also home to the WNBA's Connecticut Sun, or head to the Spa at Norwich Inn’s 42 acres for some serious R&R.(Photo: norwichct.org)

17 / 18

Hot Springs, VA - Why: Virginia is for lovers and the city of Hot Springs is for R&R: You can go the resort or rural route. Regardless which end of the spectrum you choose, count on soaking in warm waters.To do: Go to Warm Springs Valley and rest your weary bones in 104-degree mineral waters or go to Allegheny Mountains where three major springs keep it hot. For something more removed, spas in the mountains and the countryside have saltwater pools, European spas and a resort overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Stay: Choose from any of the multiple available spas waiting to pamper patrons into absolute bliss. Weekend packages are also available at many of the resorts, some starting as low as $130 a night.    (Photo: virginia.org/cities/HotSprings)

18 / 18

Adairsville, GA - (Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)Why: Located in the Oothcalooga Valley, Adairsville became the first town in Georgia in 1987 to receive a listing on the National Register of Historic Places. From history to lovely tree-lined streets and Victorian homes, this quaint city sits 65 miles equidistant from big city Atlanta and artsy Chattanooga, TN. To do: Head 10 minutes out to Bartow County and take in the natural beauty of Allatoona Lake’s 12,000 acre shoreline. It’s even better if you hike up to the Overlook, which offers an expansive view of the site, which is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Make sure to learn about the area’s Native-American culture and even tour the ancient grounds in Etowah. Stay: Barnsley Gardens Resort provides an old-world setting with luxury. On the property is horseback riding, spa services and biking a...